Saturday, November 21, 2009

TRAVEL | Battambang

Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia, is a relaxed and laid-back town, primarily a farmer and trader town around 3 hours from Siem Reap. It is the capital of the Battambang province in Cambodia, which is also known as the Rice Bowl of Cambodia becuase of its great production of rice.

Battambang is best known for its Angkor-period ruins at Ek Phnom and Phnom Banan, but there's also Phnom Sampeau - the site of the local Killing Fields, and of course the norry - an innovative Khmer "vehicle" used for travelling along the creaking railways.

Although not on the main tourist route, but it will be worth a visit if you want a place to experience the real Cambodia.

Rice cropping plays an important role in the provincial economy

Wat Ek
An Angkor-type temple ruin, about 15 km north west of Battambang. The road goes alongside lovely small rivers bordered by trees and small villages and is in general a very nice area.


Norry, the bamboo train
A good way to take in the countryside around Battambang is a ride on the bamboo train (called 'norry'). It is a unique and creative form of local transportation, consisting of a small motorcycle engine-powered bamboo cart that rides the railroad rails picking up and dropping off passengers, cargo, animals and motorcycles along the way.



Neak Ta DamBang Kragnoung
The symbol of the province. Battambang literally means loss of stick referring to a legend of Preah Bat Dambang Kranhoung when the King threw his wooden staff from Angkor and landed in present day Battambang

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

TRAVEL | Markets in Phnom Penh

Central Market
A 1930s Art Deco covered market near the Riverfront (Sisowath Quay) district. The market is well set out, and sells everything from flowers to video games. A typical market place for locals


Sorya Mall
Phnom Penh's main Western-style mall has air conditioning and contains a range of cheap fast food outlets. You can find inside the Lucky Supermarket, the only super market chain in Cambodia I believe


Russian Markets
A plase to buy real designer clothes at a huge discount price. A lot of major brand clothes sold here are deemed unfit to be shipped abroad due to very small fault in the clothing, therefore they are sold here at the Russian market.


There is also a huge western mall which opened recently called the city mall, near the olympic stadium. Can't wait to check all these out!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

TRAVEL | My Travel History

I want one too!

2009

Sydney
Christchurch
Gold Coast
Brisbane
Singapore
Kuala Lumpur

2008

Christchurch

2007

Sydney

2006

Shanghai
Nanjing
Suzhou
Wuxie

2005

Tokyo
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore
Taipei
Hong Kong

2000

Tokyo
Fukuoka
Osaka
Kyoto
Hiroshima

1998

Melbourne
Sydney

Monday, November 2, 2009

TRAVEL | My Travel History



Sydney
Gold Coast
Brisbane


Montréal
Quebec 
Toronto
Ottawa
Niagara Falls
New York
Boston
Los Angeles
Sans Fransisco 


Singapore
Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur
Penang
Johor Bahru
Melbourne


Singapore


Migrated to New Zealand (first time travel by plane)


Saigon (by boat)